A man police say has a long history of mental illness and who is accused of hacking his sister and brother-in-law to death with an ax in Kompong Chhnang province told arresting police officers on Wednesday that he was following the orders of a “magic master.”
Morn Ta Aun, 33, struck his brother-in-law Sam Sao about the head and body with the ax at the victim’s house in Kompong Tralach district’s Longvek commune last Thursday morning, provincial police chief Loch Sovannara said.
Mr. Ta Aun then attacked his sister, Morn Chanthon, from behind as she lifted her husband’s body from the ground after finding him lying in a pool of blood, he said.
Deputy provincial police chief Pol Vuthy said on Wednesday that Mr. Ta Aun was apprehended at his aunt’s house in neighboring Kandal province’s Ponhea Leu district, a place he was known to visit frequently.
“The suspect confessed he was angry with his sister and brother-in-law,” Mr. Vuthy said.
“He confessed his magic master ordered him to kill.”
Mr. Ta Aun was questioned on Wednesday at the Kompong Chhnang Provincial Court, and is set for further questioning today.
